Colorado has more ski resorts than you can shake a ski pole at, but these powdery playgrounds aren’t just for ripping up runs and laying tracks in deep powder. They’re also hubs for entertainment around the slopes. Each year, when Fat Tuesday rolls around, these same ski and snowboard meccas become havens for some of the most boisterous Mardi Gras celebrations this side of the Mississippi River. Home to parades, parties, food, skiing and snowboarding, Colorado is the place to “laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “let the good times roll!”
Vail
Vail goes all out for Mardi Gras. With hundreds of partygoers lining the streets for bar crawls, parades, costume gazing and crawfish boils, one of the only things that separates this ski town’s celebration from the New Orleans version is the amazing snow just steps away. Head to the local restaurants for Creole cuisine that's as close to the French Quarter as you can get.
Aspen/Snowmass
Started by New Orleans natives and given a distinct Colorado twist, the Aspen/Snowmass celebration claims to be the biggest and most authentic in the mountains. Aside from beads, beer, music, parades and food, Aspen/Snowmass lays claim to "The Mother of All Ascensions". This 1,741-foot scramble pits costume-clad participants against each other as they race straight uphill at more than 8,000 feet of elevation. If that isn’t challenge enough, the race starts at the crack of dawn. Join in or sleep in—Aspen/Snowmass can accommodate whatever suits your whim.
Keystone
Keystone’s Mardi Gras parade brings more than creativity to the day, it brings competition. With a cash prize of $1,000 at stake for the best float, you're sure a to get an eyeful when the elaborate floats come parading by. Keystone is the place where Zydeco music is the soundtrack for a memorable Mardi Gras celebration. Colorful street performers will entertain you right in front of the resort’s River Run balconies, and warming Creole cooking abounds during this Colorado ski resort’s Fat Tuesday celebration.
Breckenridge
Long known for its world-class winter conditions, Breckenridge is an ideal place to celebrate Mardi Gras. Spanning five days, Breckenridge’s Mardi Gras celebration culminates with the crowning of the Rex and Queen of the festivities. After the coronation, you can catch a glimpse of the lucky pair as they are paraded down Main Street as the centerpiece of the Mardi Gras procession. Breckenridge offers a wealth of accommodation options so you never have to leave the town or the fun. And if you wish to observe but not partake in the festivities, the ski resort is still open.